Interview with Stefan Berner
- Nina Albrecht
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
Industry Voices
"To achieve climate goals in the building sector, sustainability must become the standard in every construction project."
For Stefan Berner, CEO of Gartenmann Engineering and a member of the Materius board of directors, digital tools and reliable product data are essential to achieving net zero by 2050. That's why his company is investing in Materius – a strong signal for transparency, competition, and innovation in the industry.
Mr. Berner, how must the Swiss construction industry change in the coming years so that the climate targets in the building sector – net zero by 2050 – can be realistically achieved?
This question is particularly interesting because it addresses the industry itself, not just the political framework. While the latter is frequently discussed, the construction industry as a whole needs to assume greater responsibility. In my view, the industry needs a clear commitment to net-zero carbon targets. Currently, we are seeing a partial return to a strong focus on returns. This makes it all the more important that sustainability goals for projects are defined in a binding manner, jointly by clients, investors, and planners. If the industry takes on this responsibility itself, it will retain more creative freedom. Otherwise, policymakers will have to respond with clear regulations, which, based on experience, restrict the scope for innovation and new approaches.
They speak of greater self-regulation by the industry. How can this be implemented in concrete terms?
Today we see many flagship projects that receive significant media attention and are important. But they do not yet represent the necessary breadth.
Achieving net-zero emissions as an industry goal requires widespread adoption. Sustainability must become the standard in every construction project.
Currently, too many construction projects are still defined primarily or solely in financial terms.
Where do you currently see the greatest leverage points for greater sustainability in the construction process? And what role do digitalization and artificial intelligence play in this?
The greatest leverage clearly lies with the financiers. Another key lever is the handling of data. Digitalization enables us to perform complex calculations, model scenarios, and make informed decisions. If we meticulously document today which materials are used, we will still have reliable data in ten or twenty years. Artificial intelligence helps us analyze large amounts of data and learn faster, especially when planning, execution, and operation are linked. This allows us to identify what actually works and where assumptions were incorrect.
How do you assess the leverage of building products and materials?
It depends on the perspective. Sometimes energy consumption during operation dominates – the embodied energy of production then appears comparatively small. Nevertheless, a clear comparison is important.
The crucial point is: we need to know which products were actually used, where they come from, and what their properties are, and not just work with assumptions. Especially when considering the total quantity of products installed in Switzerland, the relevance of material selection is very high.
A digital, data-driven inspection directly upon delivery to the construction site makes it possible to immediately identify and document deviations. This prevents the installation of non-compliant materials – a risk that is still far too often underestimated and later leads to costly corrections or certification problems.
With the increasing certification of construction projects through labels, the question of choosing the right product often arises. What difficulties occur in this process?
Labels require very specific specifications. The selection of suitable products often seems limited because it's not transparent which options are available, and planners are also under time pressure. An up-to-date overview of available products with reliable data is crucial in the planning process. This not only increases planning certainty but also motivates manufacturers to bring better products to market. More product options mean broader tenders, more competition – and this has a positive impact on prices and quality. Everyone benefits: planners, building owners, and the entire market.
Gartenmann Engineering has invested in Materius. What prompted this decision?
As an engineering company, we are at the heart of the industry. We want to actively shape digitalization. Many challenges cannot be overcome alone. For our calculations and consulting services, we need reliable, up-to-date product data.
Materius closes precisely this gap by providing comprehensive and reliable product data. We are convinced: This is the solution the industry needs. That's why we have invested.
So it's about transparency?
Exactly. Transparency about which products are available, what they contain, and how they are used. This transparency must also extend to the construction site itself: Digitized, data-driven material testing upon delivery ensures that what was planned and specified is actually installed. This is the logical consequence of the demands for quality and sustainability.
Today, architects, planners, and engineers often conduct research in parallel, from different perspectives. A shared, reliable database creates efficiency, consistency, and quality.
There is currently no comparable solution in Switzerland. Besides Gartenmann Engineering, EBP Switzerland has also invested in Materius. In Switzerland, they are partly competitors.
What signal are you sending to the industry with this joint investment?
There are some issues that can't be solved alone. We're investing together in something that isn't our core business, but is important for the entire industry. Reliable data leads to better advice, better calculations, and ultimately, better buildings. We don't see this commitment as a competitive issue. Our investment will be successful if the entire industry benefits and the solution is widely adopted.
